Delivery means for melting-pots.



APPLICATION FlLhD NOV-20.1915.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEEIT 1.

' FRI a M35;

J. K. STEWART. DECDQ '1. a. STEWART. sxzcurmx. DELIVERY MEANS FOR MELHNG POTS.

APPLICATlbN FILED NOV. 20 l9l5- I Patented Mar. 13, 1917 3 SHEETS SHEET 2;

fizz Q32 5 J. K. STEWART, 0500 J. a; STEWART. EXECUTR1X DELIVERY MEANS FOR MELTING POTS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20. 1915.

1,219,357: Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

To all whom it'mdyeoncem:

JOHN K. STEWART, or CHICAGO, inmnoisylmma B. STEWART EXECUTRIX OF SAID J OHN K. STEWART, DECEASED.

DELIIYVERY MEANS on MELTmo-ro'rs.

Be-it known that I, JOHN K. STEWART, a

. citizen of the United States, residing at Chi-- -cago, in the countyof Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Delivery Means for Melting- Pots, of which the following is'a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings,-forming a part thereof.

Thi'sinvention relates to melting pots, and particularly to means for discharging molten metal therefrom with special reference to the handling of aluminum andits alloys in the molten state. The invention, consists of the features and elements ,and theirv combinations hereinafter described and shown in the drawings as indicated by the claims.

' In the drawings: r Figure 1 is' a top plan view of a melting pot embodying this invention.

Fig.2 is a vertical section taken as indicated at line, 22, on Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken as indicated at line 3-.3, on Fig. 1.

. at the same plane as Fig. 3, but showing the' Fig. 4 is a transverse'detail sectionltaken valve in closed position.

Fig. 5 is a transverse detail section taken asindicated at line, 5 5, on Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal detail section taken as indicated at line, 6.-6, on Fig. 2.

In handling aluminum 1n molten condition considerable difficulty is experienced by reason of the basic or alkaline nature of the metal as compared .with the more or less acid natureof nearly all other metals, and:

therefore of such other metal as must be employed as a container in whichthe alumlnumv is melted and from which it is. discharged when cast into molds. .In. the die-casting process this difficulty is increased by. the presence of air under pressure which is used dies'and' which, according to theusual practice, is applied to the entire surface of the metal in to force the metal into the molding the melting pot, the latter being made substantially air-tight for the purpose; the high temperature together with the excessive oxygen present in the air under pressure seems to make the, chemical action between the aluminum and the metal of the melting pot and discharge valve associated; therewith very rapid so that frequent replacements are necessary. By the present invention pair pressure on the wholebody of molten metal I Specification.- of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

Application filea uovember 20, 1915. Serial'No. 62,524.

in'the melting pot is entirely dispensed with so that the rapid oxidation of the aluminum is prevented and chemical action between the aluminum and the melting pot itself is minimized; and the only valve which ever comes in contact with the molten metal is suspended normally; above the level of the metal in the melting. pot and is only subjected to its action intermittently.

Referring first to Fig. 2, the fire-hon or retort 1, is shown with the melting, pot, 2,

suspended within it and movably mounted within the melting pot, 2, is a substantially U-shaped conduit, 3, carried on trunnions, li and 3", respectively, upon which it is rotatable through a limited angle for elevating its middle po'rtion, 3, which is dimensioned to be intermittently submerged in the molten metalindicated at 4. This submerged portion of the conduit, 3, has an inlet opening at 5, formed in a boss, 5, which provides a seat for a valve, 6, suspended in the melting pot, 2, at a position above the surface of the molten metal,- 4, and adapted to, close the aperture, 5, when the conduit, 3, is swung to the position indicated in Fig. 4. The lower end of the valve, 6, is substantially spherical in form and its upper end spherically globular, being carried in a correspondingly formed seat at 7 so that it is self adjusting to the valve seat at the opening, The boss, 5", is surmounted by four sloping guide lugs, 5", which are. adapted to initially engage the endof the-valve member, 6, and direct it to position for closing the opening, f

While the conduit, 3, is positionedas in Fig. 2ywit'h its inlet opening, 5', submerged in the metah, the passageway of said conduit will fill-up to the level of the metal in the melting pot,'-2, with a quantity .of molten metal sufficient fora single casting. Then if the-conduit, 3, berotated on its trunnions, 3 and 3", to the position in whichthe opening, 5, is closed by the valve, 6, audit air I pressure from the pipe, 8, be then applied to i the end of the conduit passageway in the trunnion, 3, the molten metal therein will be discharged under pressure from the nozzle,

9, connectedto the other end of the conduit passageway in its trunnion,-3 and said. metal may thus be forced into the mold or dieindicated at A. It may be understood that'the fire-box or retort, 1. is slidably car-' ried on guide-bars, 10, upon which it is movable toward and from the casting die, A,

such movement being controlled by a cam, 1 l, on a power shaft, 12, said cam actuating a roller, 13,011- a link, 14, connected at 14, to the retort, 1. The discharge nozzle, 9, is forced into contact with the die, A, by compression springs, 15, and the retort, 1, carrying with it the melting pot, 2, and discharge nozzle, 9, is retracted from connected posi- .tlon by the link, 14, working against said compression spring, 15.

The conduit, 8, is swung up to position for the closing of the opening, 5, of the passageway by the valve, (3,by means of a link, 16, connected at its lower end to lugs, 3 and passing through an opening in'the cover, 2, ol' the melting pot, 2, above which it is coupled to one arm of a bell crank, 17, whose other arm is attached to a link, 18, con trolled by a cam, 19, also on the shaft, 12. To avoid the necessity of absolute accuracy in t he machining of these connections a'nd'to permit rcgrinding 0f the valve-seat at 5, if necessary. a certain amount of lost motion is introduced by interposing aspring, 20, between the nut, 16, on the" end of the link, 16, and the sliding ,block, 21, to which the bell crank, 17, is pivotally connected at 21. Such connection includes a slot, 17, in the bell crank to permit the slight travel of the link, 16, with respect to the bell-crank when. the retort, 1, is moved up toward the dies, A. The compressed air coming through the pipe, is controlled by a valve, 22, whose stem, 22, is arranged for actuation by a" third cam, 23, on the shaft. 12, operating av link, 24, which engages the head of the stem,

22", as most clearly illustrated in Fig. 1.

Thus it will be seen that the three operations of moving the retort, 1, to bring the nozzle, 9. into connection with the die, A, swinging the conduit. 3, to position for closing the opening,5, by the valve, 6. and introducing.

the air pressure by way of the valve, 22, for

, discharging the molten metal from the conwith any suitable source of power as through duit passageway into the die, A, may all be accurately timed to occur in the order named and in quick si'iccession simply by the proper setting of the three controlling cams, 11, 19 and 253. on the shaft 12. It may be understood that the shaft, 12, may be connected the worm gear, 25, and that its intermittent rotation may be controlled by any suitable form of clutch, not shown. The con'ipresscd air connection to the trunnion, 3, will in clude any suitable form of swivcl joint as indicated at 26, and it will be noticcfl that within the trunnion, 3, the conduit is forn'led with humped portim'i eccentric with respect to the trunnion itself. This provides a high point in the passage-way which will be at all times above the level of the molten metal in the conduit passageway, even when the latter is rotated. up to the position indicated in Fig. 4; in fact this ecits highest position. This serves to prevent any backfiow of the molten metal into the air passage-way even when. the conduit, 3, is suddenly moved forward with theretort, 1,

for making connection'between the nozzle, 9, Y

and the die, A. It is not so necessary to prevent the molten metal from running out through the trunnion, 3", and discharge nozzle, 9, because almostinstantly after the convating its contents, said contents are forcibly discharged by the air pressure. admitted through the valve, 22. 5

As a result of the construction described there is almost no oxidation of the-molten metal at its surface in the melting pot; from time to time thesupply may. be replenished by. ingots in'sertedthrough a charging hole in the top of the melting pot normally closed by a cover, 27, but the main body of metal in the melting pot is never subjected to the 310- tion of the compressed air, and its chemical action on the melting pot and' on-the exterior of the conduit, 3, is therefore compara-. tively slow. Within the conduit, 3, from the intermittent nature of the action and from the fact that the air pressure-is present only for the instant of discharge, the chemical actionof this part of the apparatus is duit,-3, has been swung to position for 'ele-' also much reduced with theresult that replacements are much less frequent than with former constructions, and the general efficiency of the apparatus is much increased.

,1 claim-:

1. In a-melting molten metal therefrom comprising a conpot, means for delivering duit movably'mounte'd in said melting pot,

on libllow trunnions with its middle portion dimensioned to be submerged in the molten metal, a port in said middle submerged portion of the conduit adapted to be elevated out of the metal by a partial rotation of the conduit upon its trunnions, means for closing said port insaid elevated position, and means for applying air pressure to one end of thecondu-it for discharging its contents from the opposite end.

I 3. In a melting pot, means for delivering molten metal therefrom comprising a sub- I vated out of'said metal by amovement. of

stantially U-shaped conduit supported on hollow trunnions with its middle portion dime'iisioned to be submerged in the molten metah-and having aport'in said middle submerged portion,. a valve member sus U pended i-n the melting pot'above the surface I of themolten metal injpositionfor'closing the .said port when the latter-is elevated I by rotation of the conduit on itsftrunnions',

- and means for applying air .pressure' to the conduit for discharging 1t"s contents whenv "the'port is closed by said'valve member;

1,4. I In a melting pot, means for delivering ;.moltei11netal therefrom com rising a conduitinovably mounted in, said having'a port" positioned to be submergedinthe molten metal but adapted to be olevated' outof said metal by a movement of melting. pot,

the conduit, a valve. member supported in the melting pot above the surface of the molten metal in position for closing said port .in its elevatedposition, and meansfor" applying air pressure to the conduit. for discharging its contents when said .port is a so closed. v

5. In a melting pot, means for delivering molten metal therefrom comprising a'conduit movably mounted in said melting pot,

havingja'port positioned to be submerged in the molten metal but adapted to be ele- 'vated out of said metal by amovement of the conduit, a valve member. pendulously supported in saidimeltingpot "above the surface of the metal and free I to] swing. through a limited range inany direction away from the vertical, said valve member being positioned to register approximately withvsaid port when the latter is elevated by a movement of'the conduit, and being adapted .to adjust itself by reason of its mounting so as to'sc'at accurately over said port for. closing the latter, and means for 45,

applying air pressure, to.- said conduit for discharging its contents when the port is a so closed.

6. In a melting pot, means for delivering molten metal therefrom comprising a conduit movably mounted in said melting pot,

having a, port positioned to be submergedin the molten metal but adapted to be .elevatedioutof the molten metal by a movement of the conduit, a valve member and a above the level of the molten metal therein 176.5 duit 'movably mounted in said melt-ing pot,

in position for closing the said port when 7 the latter is elevated by a movement of the I sure to said conduit for discharging its conconduit, andmeans for applying air prestents when the port is so closed;

I 7,111 a melting pot, means for delivering molten metal therefrom comprising a con;

having a port positioned tobe submerged in themolten metal but adapted to-be elethe conduit, a' valve member pendulously "supported-above the surface of the molten meta-linflsaid meltinghpot in a position to approximately register with said port when the-latter is elevated, but free to swing through -aflimited range in anydirection away :lromthe perpendicular, sloping guidingmeans 'ext'endin'g upwardly from said port for initially engaging said valve member to direct'it to position for clpsing-the I port, and means for applying air pressure to the conduit'for discharging its contents. 8. In a melting pot,'means for delivering molten metal therefrom comprising a con- ,duit' having a portpositloned to be subnose said port, and means for applying air pressure to the conduit for discharging its contents. when said portis so close 9. In a melting pot, means for, delivering" molten metal therefrom comprising a substantially "u 'shaped conduit supported on hollow trunnions with its middle portion dimens'ioned to be submerged 'inTthe molten metal, and withthe axis 'of said trunnions above the surface of such molten metal, said middle portion having an inltportfor admitting. the liquid metal to the conduit, a,

portion of said conduit in one of thetrunnions being eccentric 'with respect thereto, said conduit beingrotatable upon its trunnions to a limited angle for swinging said eccentric portion to its highest position above the level .of liquid metal in the conduit, means for closing the port in such position of the conduit, and means for applying air pressure to theeccentric portion of said conduit for discharging-the molten metal-therefrom through the other trunnion. 10. In a melting pot,vmeans for delivering molten metal therefrom comprising a conduit movably mounted in said melting pot, having a port positioned to be submerged in the molten metal and-ada ptedto be elevated out of said metal by a mm" ment'of the conduit, a valve member supported in the melting pot inposition to register with said port when the latter is so elevated, means for moving the conduit, comprising a linkage which includes a yielding element whereby said port and valve member are' held in yielding engagement, and means for applying air pressure to the conduit for discharging its contents.

11. In a melting pot, means, for delivering molten metal therefrom comprising a conduit movably mounted in said melting pot,

' having-a port positioned to-;be submerged in mechanism adapted, to "automatically effect' the molten metalbut adapted to be elevated out of said metal by a movement of the con-" 'duit, a valve member suspended above the surface of the metal .in the melting pot adapted for closing said port in its elevated osition means for movin the conduit'toeffect such closure of the port, and means for applying air pressure to the conduit for discharging its contents,[ together with said operations in the order named.

12. In a melting pot m'combination with -a mold or die, means for delivering molten metal thereto from .said melting pot,"comprising a conduit having'a port positioned to be submerged in themolt'en metal, a valve member normally supported above the surface of the molten metal, a-discharge IlOZ:'

zle connecting with said conduit, means for noving-said melting pot and saidconduit bodily. for connecting said discharge nozzle to the mold or die, means for relatively moving said conduit and said valve member for effecting closure of the said port by the valve member, and means for applying air pressure to the conduit for discharging its contents through the said nozzle, together with supported on hollow trunnions, with its intermediate portion dimensioned to be submerged in the molten metal and having a submerged port-in said portion adapted to be elevated out of the metal by partial r0tation of the conduit upon'its trunnions, a

sition for closing said port when the conduit is rotated, at discharge nozzle connecting with the conduit at one trunnion, a valved air pipe connected to the conduit at the othertrunnion, a rotary shaft and two cams thereon, together with linkage whereby said cams are respectively adapted for rotating the conduit and opening the valve in the air pipe, the relative mounting of said cams on the shaft serving toproperly time said portions with respect to each other.

14. In a melting pot, in combination with a mold or die, means for delivering molten metal thereto from said melting pot comprising a substantially U-shaped conduit supported on hollow trunnions, with its intermediate portion dimensioned to be submerged in the molten metal and having a normally submerged port in said portion adapted to be elevated out of the-metal by partial rotation of the conduit upon its trunnions, a valve member supported in the melting pot above the surface of the molten metal in position for closing said port when the conduit is rotated, a discharge nozzle connecting with the conduit atone trunnion,

I the melting pot-and its conduit being mo-unt ed for bodily movement to effect engagement of the discharge nozzle with'the mold or die,

Valve member PP ed'in the melting a above thesurface of the molten metal in v a rotary "cam shaft and three cams fixed thereon, together with linkage from said cams respectively adapted for moving the:

melting pot, rotating the conduit and open ing the valve in the air pipe, said cams'being; related on the1r shaft for tim ng saidoperations in the order named. 4 In testimony whereof I have hereunto rset my hand at Chicago, Illinois, this 18 day of November, 1915.

3 -JOHN K. STEWART. 

